Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 fantasy football wide receiver sleepers for 2017

By Jay Marsdale

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 23: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins looks for yards after a catch while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Detroit won the game 20-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 23: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins looks for yards after a catch while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Detroit won the game 20-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 24: Tyrell Williams #16 of the San Diego Chargers pulls in a 1 yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against Demario Davis #56 of the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 24: Tyrell Williams #16 of the San Diego Chargers pulls in a 1 yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against Demario Davis #56 of the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. Tyrell Williams (LAC)

Tyrell Williams went from fifth-string wide receiver to the Chargers’ top target last season. The Chargers receivers were decimated by injuries, but that gave Williams an opportunity to step up and play.

Williams is a perfect example of a waiver-wire sleeper paying off in a big way. This year, you are going to have to use a draft choice on him, but he is still worth it.

If you didn’t pay attention to Williams’ monster season last year, you need to know about it before you overlook him on fantasy draft day. Williams entered 2017 as an unknown and ended the season with over 1,000 yards and 69 catches for the Chargers.

Last season was not a fluke. Williams is big, fast and developed a real chemistry with starting quarterback Philip Rivers. This season he will be partnering up with Keenan Allen catching passes. Allen was hurt early on in 2016 but that actually helped the Chargers in seeing Williams’ talent on the field.

That being said, the addition of Allen will help Williams. Rivers loves to spread the ball around and has his entire career. Allen and Williams should have no problem sharing targets in the pass-happy Charger offense.

Williams was 17th in the NFL in receiving yards in 2016. That doesn’t happen by accident.

He is the real deal and is going in drafts as late as the 10th round. Phillip Rivers is still going to throw the ball a ton, and the way that connection of Rivers to Williams looked last season makes a 10th-round pick more than worth it.